The Machias Arts Council (MAC) will be opening a new community project and space this spring to both engage the membership as well as the community. The rental space located at 277 Main Street, the former Refine Furniture building, will be the Machias Arts Center.
      "We are getting all the behind the scenes preparations attended to and hope to unofficially open our doors in early May with a grand opening slated later in the month," says MAC Chair Kitty Stemac, who has been a member since November 2023.
      In 2012 the Machias Arts Council began as a small group of six artists searching for a way to work together and share their work. By 2019 the group had grown to 20 members, and activity was bustling until COVID stopped everything. In 2023 Tim Markley and husband Paul Lilly were looking for a group to share Lilly's mosaic art. In March 2023 Markley was named chair and began a two year process to grow and transform the small group within the community.
      "All meetings were held via Zoom, and we really wanted face to face meetings, so we started holding them at our home," says Markley. "One of the first things I did was to set up a website." MAC membership has grown to its current membership of more than 80. Markley also established the organization as a 501c(3) nonprofit, allowing Stemac to obtain a $10,000 grant for the arts center.
      Spring and winter art shows, First Friday Art Walks and an annual Flash Fiction writing competition, among other events, soon followed. "We wanted to do more, but we soon realized that there was little to no place to hold events, classes, discussions," says Markley. "One of our long term goals was to establish an arts center to be able to host events and classes and to bring live theatre back to the area." In July of 2024, MAC launched its first live theater performance. Machias Arts Council Theatre is currently in rehearsals for their fourth performance, having received rave reviews from the community.
      As for the new 1,500 square feet of space, ideas are coming fast and furious. "My personal vision of the space is as a community haven where folks from teens to senior years feel welcomed and accepted -- a place where everyone can come and be enhanced or come to offer of themselves," says Stemac.
      In addition to providing space for artists to work, the center will host a series of art classes in a wide variety of mediums. A gallery of art will also be featured, offering member's artwork to the public. A small art supply store in a portion of the building is planned to help support the cost of the space. "This space also gives us the ability to offer art and creative writing workshops, presentations of interest to the community, event space for small community events, local music and more," says Stemac. "Our MAC members have so many great ideas to reach out, serve and enhance our area arts scene."
      Stemac believes art impacts a community in several ways. "Art brings people together, sparks creativity and makes a place feel more alive and connected," she says. "It shows people that their stories matter, and sometimes that little spark of inspiration is exactly what a neighborhood needs to feel seen and start thriving."
      Local businesses are affected as well. "Art draws people into the area -- whether they're coming for a show, a class or just to hang out -- and those people are more likely to grab a coffee, check out a shop, stay for dinner or spend the night," says Stemac. "The more people that show up for the art, the more the whole community benefits."
      "We've come a long way in two years," says Markley. "It's exciting to see so much change, all for the better. As we grow and become more known, the community is starting to take notice."
      Stemac agrees. "We welcome anyone to join the Machias Arts Council, whether dabbler, hobby, professional or just lovers of the arts -- singers, musicians, dancers and thespians, too," she says. "We have a flexible membership plan that fits any budget."
      Information on membership, events and activities can be found at machiasartscouncil.org.